by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs

Dover, DE — For the fifth time this meet, Little Ben scored a victory in a top-class event at Dover Downs and on Thursday (Jan. 5) it was in the $30,000 Preferred Pace.

Fotowon photo

Little Ben collects his fifth win in featured contests at the Dover Downs meet on Thursday evening.

The Jim King Jr. trainee outlasted Seventh Secret and George Dennis after a tenacious late stretch side-by-side engagement stopping the timer in 1:50 with a head separating the contestants with Victor Kirby in the sulky. Arque Hanover (Corey Callahan) was third.

Janet Hudson and JoAnn Looney-King own the now 6-year-old Jereme’s Jet-Honey’s Bud Lite gelding, who won for the 25th time in his career and has banked $294,767 lifetime.

Early leader Bettor’s Edge (Yannick Gingras) finished fourth in his quest for nearing $2 million in purses.

Art Stafford Jr. put Soto onto the early lead and led the rest of a 1:51.2 mile to take the $20,000 Open Pace. Eric Ell conditions the 5-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Incredible Beauty winner for Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta, who won for the third time in his last five outings.

Soto has now won $257,575 with his 17th career victory. Special T Rocks (Jim Morand) was second in front of Flem N Em N (Corey Callahan).

Dancin Yankee returned to top form in delivering a 1:50.3 victory in another $15,500 pacing contests giving driver Tony Morgan his fifth winner on the card and the second for trainer Josh Green. The 9-year-old world champion son of Yankee Cruiser-Dancewithebest collected his 55th lifetime score and raised his bankroll to $1,536,350. Richard Lombardo and L&J Racing are the owners.

Screaman Seaman A (Yannick Gingras) edged Blazing Bobby Sox (Art Stafford Jr.) for place.

Morgan came back for his fifth winning drive by escorting Rockinonby to the winner’s circle in another of four $15,500 events. Rockinonby bested Cloud Speed (Art Stafford Jr.) by three-quarters of a length and Suchaseneofhumor (Jim Morand), third, to the finish line in 1:51. Niss Allen Inc. owns the Rockin Image-Stan’s Ann gelding who has won two of his last three and $103,948 lifetime.

Yannick Gingras hit paydirt steering Rock N’ Roll World home in 1:51.4 in the another $15,500 division. The 5-year-old exquisitely bred Rocknroll Hanover-Worldly Beauty horse held off fast closing Toatsmygoats (Sean Bier), second, and Feel Like A Fool (Corey Callahan) in a tight finish.

After four winners Wednesday, Tony Morgan drove his total to nine in two days. Meet leader Vic Kirby had four winners. Trainers Eric Ell and Jim King Jr. and owners, Wood, Dittmar, Iaquinta and Looney-King had two wins.